2025 Hawaiʻi CS PD Summit

Are you curious about the Hawaii Annual Code Challenge (HACC) but unsure where to start?  Discover how to empower yourself and your students with valuable HACC resources and the CSTA-sponsored Mini-HACC. We’ll simplify the process and share strategies to build confidence and collaboration in your classroom.

Elementary learners often struggle with abstract concepts like algorithms, sequencing, loops, and debugging, especially in under-resourced environments such as less computer science lessons. This session addresses these challenges by showcasing methods that make CS accessible, such as integrating Code.org’s sequencing activities and the Micro:bit project. The workshop will guide participants in developing interactive lessons aligned with the CSTA standards, emphasizing hands-on engagement, culturally responsive teaching practices, and accessible technology applications.

Generative AI, as championed by conversation chatbots like ChatGPT, has greatly impacted higher education for the past year or so. This presentation delves into the basics of Large Language Models (LLMs), prompt engineering, fine tuning, Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and the impact of these technologies in the classroom. Participants with laptops can engage in hands-on activities, but this is optional. This presentation will provide the latest updates in the core features and usage of popular AI tools such as closed models such as ChatGPT from OpenAI, Claude from Anthropic, and Gemma from Google as well as open source models in Hugging Face such as Mistral and Llama from Meta.